EAR, nose, and throat conditions, though generally of a minor nature, account for a great deal of disability in an army. It has been stressed by Colonel R. A. Elliott, first ENT specialist in 2 NZEF, that there is an enormous, and often unnecessary, wastage of manpower due to the relatively trivial diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

During the First World War a high incidence of infections of the ear was noted in the NZEF in the Middle East, and sinus infection was also prevalent. It was noted that many cases of old healed otitis media with perforation tended to develop fresh infection, and recommendations were made that such cases should not be accepted for overseas service.